CJ Wiley
In the world of billiards, few names carry the weight and charisma of CJ Wiley. Hailing from Green City, Missouri, Wiley’s remarkable journey began humbly—at age seven, he stood on crates in the local pool hall to reach the table and quickly revealed his precocious talent by running impressive racks in his early teens. By 12, he’d won his first regional tournament, setting the stage for a career defined by grit, flair, and unyielding ambition SPM BilliardMagazine.
Dominance on the Table
Wiley’s competitive résumé reads like a highlight reel of 1990s billiards: he secured the 1996 ESPN World Open 9 Ball Championship, and followed that with runner up finishes in the 1997 and 1998 ESPN Ultimate 9 Ball Championships. In the same purple patch, he was honored as 1996 Professional Player of the Year by Pool & Billiard Magazine AzBilliards ForumsSPM BilliardMagazineMastering Pocket Billiards.
A trailblazer beyond his Missouri roots, Wiley was the first touring pro to win the Texas Open, claiming back to back titles and cementing his status as one of the region’s premier players EIN Presswire. His reputation for high-stakes prowess earned him the title “Greatest Money Player of the 20th Century” by Billiard Digest, alongside legends like Efren Reyes and Earl Strickland—and he was also voted Best TV Personality, thanks to his magnetic on-screen presence Mastering Pocket Billiards+1.
Long before these triumphs, as a 21-year-old in 1986, he captured the World Series of Tavern Pool Championship at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas—topping a field of 756 players SPM BilliardMagazine. He also claimed the National High School Championship in 1982, marking early promise from the very start.
Mosconi Cup Glory & “The Million-Dollar Shot”
Wiley’s impact on team international play was equally dazzling. In the 1996 Mosconi Cup, he served as both captain and player, famously sinking the final 9 ball alongside Earl Strickland to secure victory for the USA PoolRoom. Sixteen years later, in 2012, he returned as Mosconi Cup captain in London, striving to reclaim the cup for Team USA PoolRoom+1.
Off the competitive table, Wiley also played a pivotal role in promoting pool via the PCA (Professional Cuesports Association) and staged the electrifying Million-Dollar Challenge. During a live event with a guaranteed million dollar prize, Earl Strickland ran 11 straight racks—an astonishing feat that vaulted the sport into the mainstream, though legal battles ensued over payment AzBilliardsReddit.
Entrepreneur & Mentor
Wiley seamlessly transitioned into entrepreneurship. In Dallas, he established CJ’s Billiard Palace, touted as the #1 billiard venue in the country, hosting major televised events—such as the Million Dollar run out showdown with Strickland—and later launched Carson’s Palace, which earned recognition as the top venue in Texas according to TABC EIN Presswire.
Equally impactful is Wiley’s role in education. A prolific author of instructional content, he’s uploaded hundreds of videos across YouTube and his platforms—teaching hundreds of thousands of players fundamental stroke mechanics (like the “Touch of Inside” technique), aiming systems, and precision drills that can elevate one’s game within weeks SPM BilliardMagazineMastering Pocket Billiards.
Philosophy, Discipline & Legacy
Beyond the table, Wiley brings a depth rarely seen in sports figures. A dedicated martial artist, his disciplined approach to pool mirrors his mastery of Shaolin Kung Fu and Taekwondo, reflected in hybrid stances and movement that echo the biomechanics of elite martial arts. These principles inform his teaching and performance alike SPM BilliardMagazine.
His memoir, Stories from the Road, offers raw tales of hustling, strategy, and survival in the world’s hidden pool dens—where risk and skill walk hand in hand